Bijli Mahadev Temple - Part I

Bijli Mahadev is one of the sacred temples of the Indian State of Himachal Pradesh. It is located at an altitude of about 2438 mts. in Kullu District. Bijli Mahadev, the temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, is located across the river Beas, nearly 10 km distance from Kullu.

Way to The Temple

The Rig-Veda has a prayer of Maharishi Vashishta to Lord Rudra to absorb the excessive electric current within himself. It is said Lord Rudra acceded and absorbed the excessive electricity current and saved mankind. According to legend this episode took place at the sangam (Confluence) of Parvati and Beas rivers. This is one of the very popular stories in the mythological background of Beas basin, in Himachal Pradesh. As expected the devotees had set up a temple and the lingam in it is named Bijleshwar Mahadev or Bijli Mahadev.

The Temple

A 60 ft hight staff glistens like a silver needle in the sun. According to the historical mythological significance, it is believed that the lightening comes down in the temple and break the Shiva linga into pieces. Somehow the priest gets the information in the form of dream, while sleeping and next morning he collects all the pieces and rejoins it. Pure butter from Cow’s milk is used as adhesive for joining the broken pieces. The work of resetting the lingam is carried out in secrecy by the pujaris (priests) and the Kardars (employees) of the temple.


The Shiva linga

It is said that after completing the process, Shiva Ling regains its originality. According to the priest in the temple, Lord Shiva protects the whole world from bad events and mishappenings, by enclosing them in the form of lightening (which results in breakage of Shiva Ling), which could have made bad consequences for the future.

A panoramic view of Kullu and Parvati valleys is available from the temple site.